Colorado prison evacuated as Lee Fire grows

A western Colorado prison was emptied as a major wildfire expanded, prompting warnings for remote areas to prepare for possible evacuations.

Colorado prison evacuated amid Lee Fire as winds push flames

The Lee Fire in Garfield and Rio Blanco counties grew to more than 167 square miles and had only 6 percent containment, forcing the Rifle Correctional Center to evacuate all 179 inmates. They were moved about 150 miles away to the Buena Vista Correctional Complex as a precaution. Officials described the evacuation as a safety measure rather than a response to a direct threat to the facility.

The fire, driven by gusty winds and low humidity, is challenging firefighters who are working to keep it west of Colorado 13 and north of County Road 5. More than a thousand firefighters are on scene, and health officials have issued air quality warnings as smoke from the Lee Fire and the nearby Elk Fire spreads through the region. Officials also noted the remote nature of the affected communities and warned residents to be ready to leave if conditions worsen. The Lee Fire ranks as the sixth-largest single fire in the state’s history, according to the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control. In California, crews reported progress on the Canyon Fire, which was 62 percent contained near the Los Angeles and Ventura counties line, while the Gifford Fire in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties had grown to at least 180 square miles.

The report highlights how a wildfire can cascade through public life, forcing authorities to relocate inmates as part of a broader safety response. Evacuating a prison adds a layer of complexity to disaster management, testing both logistics and public trust. The piece also shows how rural regions rely on a large, coordinated firefighting effort that stretches state resources and requires clear communication with nearby residents.

Beyond the immediate danger, the story points to a longer trend: the wildfire season now demands steady funding for prevention, more robust evacuation planning, and better air quality monitoring for vulnerable communities. It reminds readers that disasters are systemic events, not isolated incidents, and that preparedness matters just as much as response.

Highlights

The fire season tests more than fire lines it tests community resilience and planning.